Latest news with #identitytheft
CNET
14 hours ago
- CNET
Microsoft Will Delete Your Passwords in One Month: Do This ASAP
Passwords are a thing of the past for Microsoft Authenticator. Starting in August, Microsoft will require you to use passkeys instead of keeping all of your Microsoft passwords on its mobile app, and your old passwords will vanish. But that's not bad news. Passkeys can cut out risky password habits that 49% of US adults have, according to a recent survey by CNET. Making it a practice to use the same password for multiple accounts or to include personal hints, like your birthday, can be risky. It could be an easy giveaway for hackers to guess, which can lead to identity theft and fraud. Here's what you need to know about Microsoft's timeline for the switch and how to set up passkeys for your Microsoft accounts before it's too late. Microsoft Authenticator will stop supporting passwords Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all of your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition such as Windows Hello, or other biometric data, like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you're logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your Microsoft accounts. In June, Microsoft stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator, but here's a timeline of other changes you can expect, according to Microsoft. July 2025: You won't be able to use the autofill password function. You won't be able to use the autofill password function. August 2025: You'll no longer be able to use saved passwords. If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. "Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts," said Attila Tomaschek, CNET software senior writer and digital security expert. Why passkeys are a better alternative to passwords So what exactly is a passkey? It's a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That's generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack. "Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks," Tomaschek added. Passkeys aren't stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they're stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager. How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. "If you have a password and 'one-time code' set up on your account, we'll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you're signed in, you'll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you'll be prompted to sign in with your passkey," according to the blog post. To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select "Set up a passkey." You'll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you're logged in, you can set up the passkey.
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Vancouver woman mistakenly declared dead after filing late husband's tax return
June Miller and her late husband Giorgio pose for a selfie. After submitting his final tax return, she found the CRA had declared her dead as well. When June Miller's husband Giorgio died last September after 35 years of marriage, her world came crashing down. 'We were best friends, we did everything together,' said Miller. When she went to file Giorgio's final tax return, she was told it would not be accepted online, and needed to be mailed. 'So I put his and mine in the same envelope and shipped them off,' said Miller. She was flabbergasted when she got her notice of assessment back from the Canada Revenue Agency. It was addressed to 'the estate of the late June Miller.' 'I went to go online to look at my account, but it was locked. So I called them and they said, 'You're deceased.' I said, 'You're talking to me! Deceased, what are you saying? You have to change that,'' said Miller. 'And they said, 'Well, there's a process. You have to prove that you're alive.'' Miller went to Service Canada in person and submitted all of her identifying documents, along with a letter from the funeral home that handled her husband's service that said Giorgio had died, not June. She also presented a letter from her doctor saying she is very much alive. But so far, it hasn't been enough to bring her back from the dead in the CRA's eyes. 'I said, 'I really want you to help me because I don't want to be dead.' My goal is to be 107, and they took that away a month ago,' said Miller. The 65-year-old widow has just retired, but she's been told she's unlikely to get Canada Pension Plan payments while she's declared dead. Needing income, she'd like to go back to work, but because her social insurance number has been deactivated, she needs to apply for a new one. 'There was a point where I laughed,' Miller said, adding her late husband would find some humour in this situation too. 'Giorgio is up there and he's laughing, going, 'Oh June, look at this mess you got yourself into.' And then I was annoyed and angry, because I'm talking and I'm repeating and I'm talking and I'm repeating, and nobody's getting it at Canada Revenue Agency.' In an email, the CRA said it can't discuss Miller's case due to privacy, but outlined some possible reasons for a person to mistakenly be declared dead. 'It could be human error, a miscommunication from another government department, or, most often, a mistake made when a return is filed on behalf of a deceased person with an incorrect SIN number,' the email said. The CRA added when it does happen, the agency tries to address it immediately. 'We understand that this can be both alarming and have financial implications. Our goal is to minimize any occurrence, and if it occurs, deal with it quickly. Generally, the issue can be quickly resolved once we are advised of the error,' the email said. Miller says she's spoken to many officials both in person and on the phone and no one seems to be able to help her. She's been told she has to wait while a board looks into her status, adding: 'They're going to review it, and deem me alive or dead.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Love Island's Ben in catfishing nightmare as his identity is stolen for sex website
LOVE Island's Ben Holbrough had his identity hijacked – with his Instagram pictures used on a male escort website without his permission. The taxi driver, 23, who fans have called to be axed from the villa, finally managed to get the profile, which used a fake name, removed. 5 It features a topless picture of Ben in a swimming pool along with snaps of him in a suit at a racecourse. A source said: 'Ben was shocked to be told that a website he knew absolutely nothing about was using his images. 'He and some of his friends tried to have this profile removed. He was really upset to learn that someone was using his Instagram pictures, especially with many of them taken on his holidays. 'Ben explained the situation to the Love Island team during casting. It has been a really stressful time.' A bio on the website read: 'Hey ladies, I'm Lewis (London based). I believe that good company and a good connection is unbeaten. 'I'm an open minded and confident individual, who wants to turn them nerves into excitement. Whether it's a sit-down meal, getting wine and dined at the end of a long week, going out and partying and everything in between – I'm here to make sure of a good time.' Users were invited to 'message for rates', with 'Lewis's' statistics listed as 6ft 3in, aged 27 and based in London. The 'services' included: 'Outcall, dinner/drinks date, day out, shopping trips, weekend away/holiday, go out nightclub/events and full body massage.' It added: 'I'm flexible and always up for listening to your ideas and what you enjoy doing… 'Please only message me on WhatsApp, you'll always get a reply! Seething Love Island fans slam 'vile' Ben and demand he's axed in public vote after explosive row with Yasmin 'Please note, female bookings only.' Ben sparked outrage on last night's show as he rowed with Yasmin Pettet, 24, and cruelly slammed her. In a brutal put down, he told her: "You're lucky Shea even picked you. To be fair, I think you're lucky you're even in here now to be fair. "No one rated you when you were in here let's say. You've only come out your shell because you're in a couple with me." 5 5 5 As she walked away, Ben shouted to the rest of the villa: "Eh, she's made content for the next three weeks lads." After watching what could be one of the most hard-to-watch arguments in Love Island history, fans took to social media to slam Ben in droves. Writing on X - formerly known as Twitter - one fan wrote: "Ben resorting to insults. Immature. Bye Felicia." A second claimed: "Ben is the type to only respect women he finds attractive. Nasty piece of work," along with a puke emoji. "I don't think Ben did himself any favours in the chat," noted a third viewer. Love Island 2025 full lineup Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition. Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart. Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves. Megan Clarke: An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. Aaron Buckett: A towering 6'5' personal trainer. Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. Antonia Laites: Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. Yasmin Pettet: The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. Emily Moran: Bombshell Welsh brunette from the same town as Love Island 2024 alumni Nicole Samuel. Remell Mullins: Boasts over 18million likes and 500k followers on TikTok thanks to his sizzling body transformation videos. Harrison Solomon: Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Giorgio Russo: The 30-year-old will be spending his summer in the sun, potentially his sister Alessia's successful tournament at the Euros in Switzerland. Departures: Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. Malisha Jordan: A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Shea Mannings: Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. Caprice Alexandra: The 26-year-old bombshell owns a nursery in Romford. Poppy Harrison: The bombshell broke up with her boyfriend after finding out she would be in the villa Will Means: The fourth fittest farmer in the UK according to Farmers' Weekly in 2023 entered the villa as a bombshell
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
15 people charged in "Operation Dirty Paper" investigation into Pennsylvania chop shop
More than 10 people were charged in connection with an investigation targeting a chop shop operation in Pennsylvania, authorities said. In a news release on Thursday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said 15 people and two businesses in Lebanon County were charged after "Operation Dirty Paper," an investigation into the chop shop operation that involved vehicle title washing, fraudulent vehicle inspections and identity theft. Results of "Operation Dirty Paper" The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General said the investigation surrounded two "collaborating criminal enterprises." The attorney general said Angel Vidal had a chop shop at his home in Lebanon that profited by stealing rented vehicles, dismantling and restickering the stolen vehicles, which were sold below market values across Pennsylvania and other states. Authorities said El Fuerte Auto Sales and El Fuerte Tire & Auto, both in Lebanon, were run by defendants Yonathan Peguero-Rodriguez and Johandeiry Bonilla. The two businesses are accused of aiding the operation by conducting improper vehicle inspections, falsifying inspection records and more. According to the press release, investigators said the "criminal organizations profited well over half a million dollars. The press release added that "many" Pennsylvanians had their identities stolen, unknowingly bought vehicles from a chop shop or encountered vehicles on the road that were not properly inspected. "This complex scheme involved many different types of criminal behavior that directly victimized Pennsylvanians, or put drivers and passengers at risk by being in the path of vehicles that may have been unsafe," Sunday said in the news release. The 15 individuals and the two businesses are facing a list of charges, including corrupt organizations, insurance fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and forgery. Vidal is currently in the Northampton County Prison for similar alleged conduct, the AG said. "This operation undermined the public's trust in a system that's meant to keep our roads safe, as well as our faith in honest automotive businesses," Capt. James Reinhard, director of the Special Investigations Division in the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, said in the news release.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Vancouver victims have lost $1.1M to bank card scam so far this year, police say
A bank card scam that has prompted warnings from police departments across the Lower Mainland has cost Vancouver victims alone more than $1.1 million so far this year, according to authorities. The Vancouver Police Department posted about the scam on social media Thursday, describing the fraud and comparing the number of reports and losses recorded in the first six months of 2024 to the same period in 2025. Fraudsters pose as employees of banks, contact targets by phone using spoofed numbers, 'trick victims into believing their cards have been compromised' and persuade them to provide 'personal information,' according to the VPD. The scammers then instruct people to cut up their card – leaving the chip intact – and wait for a courier to come pick it up. 'Financial institutions will NEVER ask for your PIN or send a courier to collect your card,' police said, in the post. In 2024, the VPD received two reports of the scam between January and June, with total losses of $20,400. This year the department has received 50 reports, with combined losses totalling $1,157,221. Earlier this week, Mission RCMP issued a warning about the scam after a woman was bilked out of $60,000. Last month, Mounties in North Vancouver reported a woman was conned out of $23,000. Police in Abbotsford and Richmond have also issued warnings about the scam this year. Anyone who has been a victim or target of the scam is urged to report it to their local police department.
